Break Load Charts
To view Break Load Charts on our products, please click on the links below:
Marine Braids Break Load Chart
Ropes Break Load Chart for 3 Strand, 8 Strand and 12 Strand ropes
Standards for Strength and Applications
NEW ROPE TENSILE STRENGTH
New Rope Tensile Strengths (break load) as stated are based on the manufacturer’s standard test methods. Rope strength can be expected to decrease with use and age.
WORKING LOADS
Because of the broad range of rope use it is not possible to make a general recommendation for working load. For non-critical applications with appropriate terminations and/or splices, a normal workload of between 11% and 20% of published break load is acceptable for new rope.
For critical applications, which may involve dynamic loading or when there is a danger of injury should a rope fail, then a reduction from the normal workload is recommended. Higher workloads should only be selected after professional analysis of conditions including a thorough inspection of the rope before use.
Do not use a rope if it has been exposed to high dynamic loading (see explanation below), excessive use, sustained loading for extended periods, or elevated temperatures. Rope under tension stores energy. Should the rope or termination fitting fail, stored energy may be transferred into recoil. Avoid standing in line with any rope under tension. In all cases when people are at risk the rope workload should be substantially reduced and the rope properly inspected before each use.
DYNAMIC LOADING
Normal working loads are not applicable when a rope is or has been subjected to significant dynamic loading. Dynamic loading is applied to the rope when a load is picked up, stopped or swung. The more rapidly or suddenly such actions occur the greater the dynamic loading will be.
In extreme cases the force on the rope may be many times the normal load involved. In such applications including towing lines, lifelines, safety lines, climbing ropes etc working loads do not apply.
Note: Dynamic effects are greater on low elongation rope made from products such as polyester or HMPE, and lesser on a high elongation rope such as nylon. Dynamic effects are also greater on shorter rope lengths than longer measures.
